Support clamp



Dec. 12, 1950 F. SZABO 2,533,974

SUPPORT CLAMP Filed Aug. 12, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 52 a b o ATTDRN EYE Dec. 12, 1950 F. SZABO 2,533,974

SUPPORT CLAMP Filed Aug. 12, 1947 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR- Fred 526L290 m mym aa ATTCIRN EYS Patented Dec. 12, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUPPORT CLAMP Fred Szabo, Corona, Calif.

Application August 12, 1947, Serial No. 768,111

2 Claims. (01. 248-226) My present invention relates generally to tobacco users and smokers appliances such as ash trays and receptacle holders, and more specifically to an improved support clamp of the adjustable and portable type by means of which an appliance may be vertically adjusted and mounted upon a suitable upright or post, with a quick detachable clamp fastener.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a quick detachable, and attachable, clamp support for mounting a smokers tray, a receptacle holder, or other accessory, in convenient position for use upon the leg of a table or chair, a floor lamp-post or a bed-post, or similar upright, as a permanent fixture, as well as for use as a temporary and portable fiX- ture; and .to this end the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be described in detail and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of a physical embodiment of my invention in which the parts of the support clamp are combined and arranged in accord with one mode that I have devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

It will however be understood that changes and alterations are contemplated and may be made in these exemplifying drawings and mechanical structures, as is evidenced by the additional modification in the drawings and within the scope of my claims, without departing from the principles of the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a supporting clamp in which my invention is embodied, and employed in combination with a receptacle holder.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the structure of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, as at line 33 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view at line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view at line 5--5 of Fig. 1.

Figure 6 is a plan view showing the support clamp combined with a smokers tray; and

Figure '7 is a sectional view at line 1-4 of Fig. 6.

In the preferred form of the invention illus trated in Figs. 1 through 5, where the clamp support is combined with a receptacle holder for a glass, cup, or similar vessel shown in dotted lines and designated by the letter R, the support clamp is utilized for attaching the holder in vertically 2 adjusted position upon a suitable upright of post P.

The holder l, which forms the support for the receptacle R, also provides a circular base for the supporting clamp, and this base is fashioned of metal or other suitable material, of channel shape in cross section, and provided with outstanding lateral flanges 2 and 3 that reinforce the lightweight annular band, and provide an exterior annular groove in which the clamp support is operatively mounted.

Within the annular groove or channel of the base are mounted a pair of segmental or semicircular friction arms 4 and 5, which also are of channel shape in cross section to insure proper rigidity for operation of these slidable arms, and adjoining ends of these arms are bent outwardly to form radial squeeze handles 6 and I, each of which is provided with an outer finger or thumb tab or pad '8.

At a diametrically opposite side of the circular base band from the handles, a pair of substantially parallel clamp arms 9 and I0 project from the base band; and the segmental slide arms are connected by a pair of opposed helical springs II and- H, which are diametrically arranged and seated and retained within the exterior channels or grooves of the respective slide arms 4 and 5. Spring l I is anchored at one end HA to the segment 4, with its other end anchored at MB to segment 5; and spring I2 is attached at A to segment 5, and attached at MB to segment 4; thus providing for a resilient squeeze action of the handles 6 and 1 whereby the working ends of the slide segments and the clamp arms 9 and ID are opened or separated before a clamping action on the post P.

The outer ends of the two clamp arms are provided with clamping jaws that are designed to fit against and be readily adapted to different shapes of posts P or other supports, and for this purpose the arm 9 is provided with an integral inturned end jaw l4 that co-acts with an angular or right-angle jaw l5, which is welded or otherwise attached to the flanged end of arm ID as, at l6. To prevent marring of the post P, the angular jaw may be provided with a cushion or pad l1 that may be cemented or otherwise securely attached to the angular jaw.

From this description it will be apparent that the two handles 6 and I may be pressed or squeezed together to open the clamp jaws for location of the clamp about the post, and then when the handles are released, the springs under tension will firmly clamp the jaws against the opposite sides of the post for rigidly supporting the base or holder in horizontal position.

In the modified adaptation of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the support clamp is combined with a smokers tray [8 of circular shape that is provided with an exterior annular groove and flange l9, and four radially arranged rests 20, for the reception of cigars or cigarets. The segmental slidebands or-circulararms ,4 and are mounted and retained in the flanged groove of the tray, and the two springs H and I2, which connect these slide bands tend lto clamp the complementary jaws of the ;,clamp arms 9 and II) on the post P.

The receptacle holder, or the tray, rmay he raised or lowered to desired vertical position, by

pressing together the handles 1 and "8,-and--then by releasing the handles the jaws are automatically closed to clamp the device in rigid position omthe post @Imular; groove, a pairof diametrically arranged segmental arms channel shape in cross section and slidable in the groove, a pair of clamp jaws rigid with said arms, and a pair of opposed helical springs seated in the segmental arms, each of said springs connecting one arm with another arm for automatically closing the jaws, and means for opening the jaws.

2. In a support clamp, the combination with a circular ringlilge baserofchannelashape in cross section, or a pair of segmental :arms channel shape in cross section and slidable in the base,

each of said arms having a handle and a clamp 'iaw,(a pair of opposed helical springs seated in the segmental arms, and each of said springs -'connecting one arm with another arm for autoimatically closing the jaws.

FRED SZABO.

REFERENCES CITED The -following :references are of record in -th file :of this l patent :Number 

